Senators urge Park Service to allow loaded guns in parks
In mid-December, 47 U.S. senators asked the National Park Service to allow gun owners to carry loaded weapons in federal parks and wildlife refuges. Many RVers will likely be interested in this proposal: a survey at RVtravel.com revealed that about half of all RV enthusiasts carry a firearm with them when they travel.
The letter, drafted by Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, calls the current regulations "confusing, burdensome and unnecessary," according to the Anchorage Daily News.
Currently, firearms can only be brought to most national parks and wildlife refuges if they are unloaded, broken down and in a carrying case. There are some exceptions in places where hunting is allowed in season and in back-country areas in some Alaskan parks where loaded guns can be brought in for protection from bears.
"In Alaska, legally possessing a gun is as much a necessity as it is a right," said Aaron Saunders, a spokesman for Sen. Ted Stevens, one of the signers. "Sen. Stevens strongly supports streamlining federal regulations regarding law-abiding citizens carrying firearms on public lands."
The letter, drafted by Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, calls the current regulations "confusing, burdensome and unnecessary," according to the Anchorage Daily News.
Currently, firearms can only be brought to most national parks and wildlife refuges if they are unloaded, broken down and in a carrying case. There are some exceptions in places where hunting is allowed in season and in back-country areas in some Alaskan parks where loaded guns can be brought in for protection from bears.
"In Alaska, legally possessing a gun is as much a necessity as it is a right," said Aaron Saunders, a spokesman for Sen. Ted Stevens, one of the signers. "Sen. Stevens strongly supports streamlining federal regulations regarding law-abiding citizens carrying firearms on public lands."
Labels: firearms, guns, national parks
posted by Chuck Woodbury at
12/30/2007 10:20:00 AM
24 Comments:
Here Here i,m all for that
By
rpm, at 7:20 AM, January 12, 2008
I can't understand why anyone would need a "ready to use" firearm in a national park.
By
Ed, at 7:40 AM, January 12, 2008
No.
No
No.
I go to parks for piece and quiet Not to worry about someone carrying.
You worried about dangerous animals? Go to a city park.
You want to feel macho? Go to a shooting range.
BTW: Senator Stevens has no credibility any longer, rather just a corrupt politician in bed with Big Oil, like You Know Who.
By
Anonymous, at 7:53 AM, January 12, 2008
I am retired from Law Enforcement & know that criminals will more than likely have guns so then why shouldn't I? There needs to be a Nation-wide law to cover having a concealed weapon which I hold, but is only good in a handful of states.
By
BigG, at 8:03 AM, January 12, 2008
to I can't and no,no,no remember that when YOU need help.
could be a robber or a mad dog.
had to stop a attacking raccoon and was glad to have a 410 to do it. retired law enforcement are not the only ones who need protection.
By
Anonymous, at 8:19 AM, January 12, 2008
NO, NO, NO! I work in a National Preserve (National Park that allows hunting during the regular season) and have had the s**t scared out of me several times by idiots that shoot at any movement or just wanted to site their guns in before going hunting. Most hunters are law abiding citizens and respect and help preserve our natural wildernesses, it's usually the non-hunter that shoots the park signs, shoots into historic buildings, or kill the wildlife out of season, that cause the problems (we taxpayers have to foot the bill for their fun). A number of our employees spend most of their time out in the 'back country' without any weapons. When I was in Montana the only weapon I carried was a 13.4 oz container of pepper spray.
If a hiker/camper will follow the posted rules provided by the NPS, or talk to a Ranger regarding food storage and movement in the wilderness they will not have a problem. Just about all of the problems with encounters with wildlife can be attributed to stupidity, either by the victim or by others that feed the animals.
Help protect other campers and hikers, as well as our wildlife and leave your weapons at home or unloaded in your RV!!
By
avianzoo, at 8:34 AM, January 12, 2008
There is absolutely no need to carry any kind of fire arm anywhere in North Americ or Mexico.
By
Anonymous, at 8:38 AM, January 12, 2008
Criminals are always going to have guns. This just helps even up the odds for us law-abiding folks.
By
Ken, at 8:40 AM, January 12, 2008
How can you say there is absoulutely no need to carry firearms in America or Mexico? Who commits all the murders, law abiding citizens? I don't think so. What did our forefathers fight for? The time might come when some sick, demented person attacks you, personally [I pray it never happens
] but what will you do? Grin and bare it? I will grin and bare arms and repel any attacker with zeal in my heart and hope that when I'm through YOU won't have to pay his hospital bills or feed and coddle him in a prison where he can learn how to better attack me and my family without getting his butt shot off!
By
desertratdan, at 10:38 AM, January 12, 2008
I'm definitely for it.
By
rosebud, at 1:38 PM, January 12, 2008
yes yes there are times when a firearm might be needed just for the peace of mind, espcially if you dry camp alot.anonymous
By
Anonymous, at 6:22 PM, January 12, 2008
Yes, If someone is "qualified" to carry. ie Licensed to carry. In any state. Then I'm for it. There, or any other place. I don't know of any attacks that were done by anyone "Licensed to carry"
My 2 cents
By
Anonymous, at 8:44 PM, January 12, 2008
"The right to keep and bear arms". Our bill of rights does not say "the right to keep and bear arms only in specific places and only at specific times".
The job of self- protection against thugs carrying arms (which is most likely against their probation) and against wild animals (who are no longer afraid of man because they were man-raised and reintroduced), is not just a job. It is a duty to ourselves and our families.
So yes, I agree with the legal capabilities of carrying arms within National parks. Just use discretion, which most law abiding citizens do.
By
Anonymous, at 9:25 PM, January 12, 2008
I'm all for it. It isn't just a matter of "needing" a fire arm in a National Park. Many of us carry everywhere we go--private campgrounds, boon docking and National Parks. Why should I only be illegal when I'm in a National Park?
"I can't understand why anyone would need a "ready to use" firearm in a national park."
What good is a firearm if it isn't "ready to use" or would you rather ask your attacker (whether human or animal) to wait while you get your firearm ready?
The Second Ammendment to the US Constitution provides the right to bear arms. That document shouldn't be trashed because someone else doesn't want me, a law abiding citizen of the USA, to arm myself--whether in a National Park or anywhere else.
By
BikerBro, at 9:26 PM, January 12, 2008
This is not a good idea! While hand-guns in the hands of trained and qualified users are a good thing, the thought of a person running around in the woods with a loaded gun thinking that he is "G-d's gift to law and order" and shooting at something making noise in the dark is truly scary. I don't relish the idea of being shot at on my way to the showers at midnight.
By
Anonymous, at 10:39 AM, January 13, 2008
This is not a good idea! While hand-guns in the hands of trained and qualified users are a good thing, the thought of a person running around in the woods with a loaded gun thinking that he is "G-d's gift to law and order" and shooting at something making noise in the dark is truly scary. I don't relish the idea of being shot at on my way to the showers at midnig
By
Anonymous, at 10:42 AM, January 13, 2008
I'm for it. I carry anyway like at least 40% of the others out there. So why not just make it legal? The Constitution provides citizens the right to "keep & bear arms" so our government lands should be the last place to prohibit it. I have been trained for the use of firearms & have a state permit. I would be very careful NOT to use it unless it was a dire emergency.
By
kpelfree, at 4:34 PM, January 13, 2008
I am 100% for the carrying of firearms for personal protection in national parks or anywhere else. Haveing access to a firearm and shooting it recklessly are two different matters. Forbidding the carrying of firearms because some may not be careful and responsible with them is like forbidding the operating of motor vehicles because some drive dangerously.
By
Jack, at 8:38 AM, January 14, 2008
We would all be better off if our constitution was changed to make gun ownership illegal everywhere.
By
Anonymous, at 9:43 AM, January 14, 2008
I hate to think of sidearms left in vehicles. It's more secure to have them on a person licensed to carry them. Most thieves are NOT licensed to carry. So why restrict the honest erson.
By
Anonymous, at 1:39 PM, January 14, 2008
If carrying a firearm is not kept legal what do we think will happen? People will still carry them. Does legallity keep criminals from carrying fire arms? Duh!
By
Anonymous, at 1:14 PM, January 15, 2008
Anonymous said...
We would all be better off if our constitution was changed to make gun ownership illegal everywhere.
9:43 AM, January 14, 2008
Why don't we just do away with all the "rights" afforded us by the Constitution? Why stop at the "right to bear arms"? Let's just make it illegal to peacefully assemble; and while we are at it let's throw in making it illegal to be able to comment on a forum like this. We can also take away the right against unreasonable searches. Where does it stop. If you do not like the rights you have as a citizen of this GREAT country we live in, you can take your RV to Canada or Mexico where you can live where it is illegal to carry firearms anywhere. You think you would be safer there? Some people just do not appreciate what a GREAT country we have.
By
BikerBro, at 10:41 PM, January 16, 2008
You have the choice whether to have a gun with you or not. Personally, I tell my friends who make fun of me for carrying a weapon that THEY can go talk to the pickup full of drunks that just came crashing through the woods.
By
Anonymous, at 11:36 AM, February 16, 2008
I would rather be tried by 12
Than carried by 6
By
Anonymous, at 11:06 PM, February 29, 2008
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